Am I sharing music on the same computer correctly?

My wife and I share this computer. We have iTunes on both user profiles setup to use a common folder under user/shared. This way we can share the same master library no matter who is logged into the computer.
The problem is that when importing songs from a CD, they don't automatically appear in the other person's profile until they pick "Add to library" from the option on the File menu.
Do we have to do this every time one of us imports a CD? We would prefer to have it setup so once a CD is imported, it's songs are instantly availble, no matter who is logged on at the moment.
Thanks!

You have to Add file to library as each user has their own library file (the database which tracks the songs in iTunes).

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Sharing Playlists and Music on the Same Computer with Different Users

I'm trying to share music and playlists between different users of the same computer.
Ideally I'd like to use the same iTunes music folder for all users, and have the same music and playlists show up no matter which user logs in (without having duplicate copies/files of the same songs clogging up our hard drive).
also would like to be able to sync our shared iPod no matter which user panel we're logged onto.
is any of this possible with the new version of iTunes?
thanks much i advance.
vince

If you want all users to be able to access the same music, but with different libraries, NikkiG's advice is spot on. However, I thought I'd throw in my 2¢ since I just set this up for a friend.
If you want all your users to have exactly the same library, and not just access to a shared library, do the following:
-move the entire "iTunes" folder (~/Music/iTunes) into the Shared folder or to separate drive.
-in each user's account, remove the iTunes folders (or just move them to a new location until you're positive this method works for you)
-pop open Terminal.app (/Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app) and here's where it gets a little dicey; type the following into the command line:
ln -s /Users/Shared/iTunes/ ~/Music/iTunes/
What this does is create a symbolic link (think alias, but more technical and powerful) between the iTunes folder in the Shared folder, and each user's iTunes folder. This way, each user is directly accessing the iTunes library, and not just through the shared area in iTunes itself. This allows them to add/remove music and playlists to the same library.
HOWEVER, this method will mess up if you have multiple users logged in and using iTunes at the same time.

Is it possible to have 2 separate accounts with totally different and independent music on the same computer?

IS it possible to have 2 separate accounts with totally different music libraries on same computer with multiple iPods synced to the computer,

Same answer as last time you asked the same question.
Can I create 2 separate itune accounts on same PC?

Sharing iTunes on the Same Computer iMac

I am trying to share the same music on iTunes between 2 accounts on the same iMac. I followed the guidance in the support article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203 and followed the guidance for Mac OSX through to Step 9. When I restart iTunes, however, then there is no media present.
I have noticed, however, that the iTunes Library file and the iTunes Library.xml file which the article says not to move are in the same folder as the media. However, when I moved these to the higher-level folder, then ITunes ended-up in a complete mess and I had to restore from an external hard disk.
Should I create a separate folder containing only the music etc and then move thisß If so, I would appreciate advice how best to achieve this without causing further damage.
Thanks in anticipation.

I have the exact same problem! My kid has a "private" sign in on our computer and she opened Itunes and bought 2 songs that we can now only get to through her sign in. Is there a way to consolidate these 2 Itunes to just one? I tried the "consolidate library" but it is obvious not intended for this purpose.
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Sharing Itunes on the same Computer with 2 users

This is probably really basic - I have created a second user account on my puter and no matter what I do to allow access to Itunes the second user cannot access the files. I have copied the files and placed them in the music folder (twice) for that user and every time I launch Itunes on this second profile Im told its a locked disk and cannot be accessed (despite allowing read and write for the whole galaxy) what am I missing?
I dont seem to able to file share anything and basically install the same software for both profiles - surley there is way to allow them to happen?
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I have the exact same problem! My kid has a "private" sign in on our computer and she opened Itunes and bought 2 songs that we can now only get to through her sign in. Is there a way to consolidate these 2 Itunes to just one? I tried the "consolidate library" but it is obvious not intended for this purpose.
HP Windows Vista

Sharing music on the same pc with different accounts

I am sharing music and movies on the same pc but managing it with different accounts. Recently, when I add new content in the public folde, it only shows up in the one account that I adde it to and not the other accounts.

If you want all users to be able to access the same music, but with different libraries, NikkiG's advice is spot on. However, I thought I'd throw in my 2¢ since I just set this up for a friend.
If you want all your users to have exactly the same library, and not just access to a shared library, do the following:
-move the entire "iTunes" folder (~/Music/iTunes) into the Shared folder or to separate drive.
-in each user's account, remove the iTunes folders (or just move them to a new location until you're positive this method works for you)
-pop open Terminal.app (/Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app) and here's where it gets a little dicey; type the following into the command line:
ln -s /Users/Shared/iTunes/ ~/Music/iTunes/
What this does is create a symbolic link (think alias, but more technical and powerful) between the iTunes folder in the Shared folder, and each user's iTunes folder. This way, each user is directly accessing the iTunes library, and not just through the shared area in iTunes itself. This allows them to add/remove music and playlists to the same library.
HOWEVER, this method will mess up if you have multiple users logged in and using iTunes at the same time.

How do you add another account onto the same computer that has itunes?

I want to add another account to my already existing account so that my dad can have his own music on the same computer with mine. can i do that? or should i just move all of my stuff to an another computer and just let him have the old one? i know this prolly sounds confusing but someone please tell me if i can do this!

See if this helps: Using Windows XP User Accounts
Creating a separate Windows User account for each person on your PC will give you completely separate libraries. Each account has it's own iTunes folder, Library and iTunes Music folder and you load it with CDs etc just as you did with your original one.

HT3819 can music be shared on tow seperate Itune accounts but on the same computer. for instance I have puchased a new iphone 5 but it is for work. i dont want to register under my wifes ID, but would like to share the music on hear account only. how can

can music be shared on the same computer but to two seperate Iphones... with two seperate accounts. For instance my wifes account has all our music/app's for the family including kids. My phone must be seperate for work. How can I get the music we purched to share with my phone on a seperate account?

Purchases of multple Apple ID accounts cannot be merged as noted here > Frequently asked questions about Apple ID

Hello there - how can I share my iTunes library between two users on the same computer? I put the library in a shared folder between both and have selected this library on both as well, but when I update iTunes with music etc it only appears on one?

Hello there - how can I share my iTunes library between two users on the same computer? I put the library in a shared folder between both and have selected this library on both as well, but when I update iTunes with music etc it only appears on one?

Thank you Joe - I tried this but it's only showing a teensy amount of music - the stuff on the second users account as opposed to the giagntic library on the 'main' account. I actually went to a Genius Bar and they said that apple doesn't really want you to share music between accounts - parents don't want to hear their kids music etc. Which seemed strange, but it might be the case sadly Thanks anyway!

When I try to open the shared library on the 2nd computer (the one I want to xfer music to), the only songs that come up are those that are already in that same library (the library on the 2nd computer). While I can see computer

When I try to open the shared library on the 2nd computer (the one I want to xfer music to), the only songs that come up are those that are already in that same library (the library on the 2nd computer). While I can see computer #1 listed under 'shared,' when I click on it the only songs I can see are those that I already have on the 2nd computer. Hopefully that makes sense. Basically, the library from computer #1 isn't loading up.

What level of OS X is installed on your Mac (your profile is incomplete)?
Barry

How do you transfer iTunes music from one account to another on the same computer??

i am having issues trying to copy some of my music from my itunes library to my wife's. we each have seperate accounts on the same computer(mac mini, os X). i am new to using the mac's, and have no idea of how to go about this. i have seen some stuff on using public folders, but i could not find mine, also used the sharing option under preferances, and that didnt work for me as well.... but like i said, i am new. if anyone could please help that would be greatly appreciated. thanks

Here's a support article that might help you:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1203

HT3819 Will home sharing work with 2 itunes accounts on the same computer?

My husband and I share a laptop. Can we use Home Sharing to share music with each other? I have an account for each of us on iCloud and the computer has us each set up as users.

No, home sharing will not work for two different users on the same computer on a Windows based system as it requires iTunes running. It is not possible in Windows for both users to be running iTunes at the same time.
Instead, simply use the File > Add Files/Folder option in iTunes to add the content you want to your iTunesLibrary. Do the same for your husbands iTunesLibrary under his user.

Sharing iTunes Library with two users on the same computer

I have all of my music stored on a external hard drive.
Both users on the same computer have the iTunes music location folder as the external hard drive. How do I see music added in one persons log-in? For example: I just purchased two albums under one log-in. The second log in can not see that music unless I manually add it.
Both Libraries point to the same file location.
I have over 40GB of music and I am looking for a way to manage my music files more effectively and I want to make sure that both log-ins have the same music.
I followed the instructions in article HT1203 from the apple support site.

lafdengine9 wrote:
Both users on the same computer have the iTunes music location folder as the external hard drive. How do I see music added in one persons log-in? For example: I just purchased two albums under one log-in. The second log in can not see that music unless I manually add it.
The reason you are having this issue is because you have a shared library but private databases. What you have on the external drive is the collection of media files (library) that each account is set up to access as the source for media. What you have not done is set up a shared iTunes database, so each user accesses the same library differently.
When each user opens iTunes, iTunes access the database on their account (~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Library). Therefore, their settings, views, playlists, etc., are private. When they add songs to their library only their database file is updated to reflect those additions; simply having files in the music folder does not mean that iTunes will recognize them, hence the reason iTunes asked you if you want to move the file to the trash when you delete it from your library.
The confusion here is the double use of the term library. The contents of you music folder most definitely constitutes your media library, as it is the collection of your media files. What you see as your library in iTunes is not your library but, for the most part, the content stored in a database table maintained by iTunes in the iTunes Library file in your iTunes folder. iTunes does not access your actual media files unless it is absolutely necessary. The general assumption is that what is shown in your iTunes “library” will actually mirror what is in your music folder.
So the missing step in your setup would be to switch to the account that has the most current iTunes library—that is the one reflects the actual contents of your music folder as of now—and follow this procedure.
1. Quit iTunes.
2. Move the iTunes folder to the Shared folder (./Users/Shared).
3. Launch iTunes, but immediately hold the option key to invoke the Choose Library window.
4. Select the database (iTunes Library file) now located in the shared folder.
5. If you do not see your content, go to iTunes’ preferences and reset the location of the music folder to the external drive.
6. In the other accounts, re-launch iTunes and change the library according to steps 3 and 4.
Now all users will have access to the same iTunes database as well as the shared library. The downside of this is that each user will have full access privileges. If you have iTunes 8, then to avoid the disadvantages that come with this type of set up, see [this thread|http://forums.macworld.com/thread/105366?tstart=0] over at Macworld.

How can I share the same music but separate calendars and address book for 2 users on the same computer?

Can anyone help to answer if I can share the same music account on itunes but still maintain separate calendars and address books on the same computer?

Make sure each user has their own computer login.
Copy the entire /Music/iTunes/ folder to /Users/Shared.
Hold Option and launch iTunes.
Select Choose library and select /Users/Shared/iTunes/ folder.
Quit iTunes and log into other user.
Hold Option and launch iTunes.
Select Choose library and select /Users/Shared/iTunes/ folder.
That is all you need to do.
Any changes in iTunes by one will be seen by all others (since you are using the same library).
All users will have their own Contacts & Calendars and all other info.
If you are using Fast User switching, you must quit iTunes before switching users if others wish to use iTunes.

Can I share itunes music with two separate computer users on the same computer using the same itunes account?

I have gone through the insturctions on sharing a folder, but it will not update under both itunes libraries when I download new music? For example, I log in as "User A" and download a song on itunes. I then log into the same computer as "User B" and open itunes and the song is not there, even though the music library is the same shared folder on the computer. I tried downloading the music as "User B" but then I get the error: You do not have enough access privileges for this operation".
Does anyone have any ideas how I can properly and continuously share the same music between accounts? I have to use seperate computer log in accounts because my wife and I have our own calendars, contacts, etc...
Thank you!

For iPhoto 09 (version 8.0.2) and later:
What you mean by 'share'.
If you want the other user to be able to see the pics, but not add to, change or alter your library, then enable Sharing in your iPhoto (Preferences -> Sharing), leave iPhoto running and use Fast User Switching to open the other account. In that account, enable 'Look For Shared Libraries'. Your Library will appear in the other source pane.
Any user can drag a pic from the Shared Library to their own in the iPhoto Window.
Remember iPhoto must be running in both accounts for this to work.
If you want the other user to have the same access to the library as you: to be able to add, edit, organise, keyword etc.
Quit iPhoto in both accounts. Move the Library to the Users / Shared Folder (but note: some users find ongoing permissions issues with the Library in this location. It might be better to use an external HD set to ignore permissions, a Disk Image or even partition your Hard Disk.)
In each account in turn: Double click on the Library to open it. (You may be asked to repair the Library Permissions.) From that point on, this will be the default library location. Both accounts will have full access to the library, in fact, both accounts will 'own' it.
However, there is a catch with this system and it is a significant one. iPhoto is not a multi-user app., it does not have the code to negotiate two users simultaneously writing to the database, and trying will cause db corruption. So only one user at a time, and back up, back up back up.

Am I sharing music on the same computer correctly?

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